Dr. Christopher Bagby is a medical specialist in orthopedics/orthopedic surgery. His clinical interests include strains, sprains, and fractures (broken bones). His average rating from his patients is 4.0 stars out of 5. Dr. Bagby honors several insurance carriers, including Coventry, TRICARE, and Aetna Elect Choice. Before performing his residency at the University of Missouri Health System, Dr. Bagby attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Dr. Bagby has received distinctions including Orthopaedic Honors; Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Honors; and Extremity Anatomy Honors. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Anderson County Hospital, North Kansas City Hospital (NKCH), and Saint Luke's North Hospital-Smithville. He has an open panel.

Dr. Douglas Perryman is a medical specialist in general obstetrics & gynecology. His hospital/clinic affiliations include Shawnee Mission Health and Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City. After completing medical school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Dr. Perryman performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). His average patient rating is 4.5 stars out of 5. He is in-network for Coventry, TRICARE, and Aetna Elect Choice, in addition to other insurance carriers.

Dr. Nalurporn Chokrungvaranon's area of specialization is adult endocrinology. Her clinical interests encompass diabetes, thyroid problems, and osteoporosis. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include Saint Luke's North Hospital-Smithville, Saint Luke's South Hospital, and Saint Luke's North Hospital-Barry Road. Dr. Chokrungvaranon obtained her medical school training at Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Medicine and performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is in-network for Coventry, TRICARE, Aetna Elect Choice, and more.

Orthopedic trauma is a branch of orthopedic surgery that focuses on the care of seriously broken bones, especially following accidents. Although all orthopedic surgeons treat common fractures, some breaks are difficult to treat and require specialized care in order to heal properly. Some examples of the kinds of injuries that an orthopedic trauma specialist might handle include:

Multiple fractures or crushing injuries

Compound fractures, where a broken bone pierces the skin

Breaks in a joint, which can lead to arthritis

Hip and pelvic fractures

Infections in a broken bone

Nonunions, or breaks that won’t heal

Malunions, or breaks that are misaligned

Treatment provided by an orthopedic trauma specialist depends on the type and extent of the injury. In some cases it is sufficient to have a cast, brace, or other external way of supporting the broken bone while it heals. More significant injuries may require surgery to place structures such as pins, screws, and plates to stabilize the healing bone. In the most complex injuries, bone grafting or limb lengthening procedures may be used.

Orthopedic trauma specialists often work in hospitals, and they work closely with emergency professionals as well as reconstructive surgeons. In the case of a severe fracture or complications from a broken bone, orthopedic trauma specialists are the doctors that can get you moving again.

Orthopedic surgeons, sometimes just called orthopedists, are surgical doctors of the musculoskeletal system. They work to keep your body active and in motion by treating problems with your bones, joints, tendons and muscles. The most frequently treated disorder seen by orthopedic surgeons is osteoarthritis, a common “wear-and-tear” problem where the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down, causing friction and pain. Orthopedic surgeons might also see patients for bone and joint deformities, amputation, infections of the bone and joint, overuse injuries, or nerve compression.

Orthopedic surgeons can order tests such as blood work and x-rays to get a clearer picture of the issue. Depending on the illness or injury, more than one different form of treatment may be used. Treatment may include:

Surgery, such as fusing bones together to increase stability, or replacing a joint

Medication, such as pain medication or steroids to promote healing

Casts, splints, or orthotics (devices such as braces or shoe inserts to support the body)

Physical therapy, a kind of treatment using exercise, stretching, heat, and massage to heal the body

Exercise, stretching, movement, and use of the affected part

Orthopedic surgeons also work to prevent injuries and slow the progression of disease in their patients. They educate patients on ways to prevent future injuries, and they treat illness in order to prevent further damage to bones or joints that may be affected by disease. The goal of an orthopedic surgeon is to help their patients restore movement and regain an active life.

Sports medicine is the specialty that promotes physical fitness and activity while managing, treating, and preventing injuries that happen during exercise or participation in sports. Sports medicine fosters wellness and fitness and works to inhibit injury. A sports medicine specialist may work with professional athletes, school sports teams, individuals who participate in sports on the weekend for fun, or someone who is just beginning to exercise for the first time. Although their main focus is on musculoskeletal function, sports medicine specialists also care for patients’ full medical and nutritional needs as they relate to their active lifestyle.

Some examples of the kinds of injuries and issues that a sports medicine specialist might see in their work include:

Acute sports injuries (sprains, fractures)

Overuse injuries (tendonitis, bursitis)

Head injuries (concussion)

Heat injuries (heat stroke)

Athletes with chronic illness (asthma, diabetes, heart disease) and how their illness is affected by exercise

Nutrition and the use of supplements

Developing a safe exercise plan for obese or sedentary patients

Substance abuse of performance-enhancing drugs

Teaching proper form and technique to reduce the chance of injury

Sports medicine specialists often work closely with orthopedic specialists, and the scope of their work can have some overlap. The main distinction is that orthopedic specialists can perform surgery when it is needed, while sports medicine specialists focus on non-surgical solutions for injuries.

Whether they are the team physicians making sure every professional player is performing safely and at their best, or community specialists getting you back in the game after a sprained ankle, sports medicine doctors are there to make sure you’re in good condition to lead an active life.